Mets spring training notes

Sandy Alderson spoke on WFAN today and the owner Fred Wilpon met with the media in Port St. Lucie. 
Alderson basically said that they want to win but also thinks it is important for players to develop. He is mainly talking about Zach Wheeler, Travis D’arnaud and Matt Harvey. They are clearly the future of the franchise and the Mets want to see them develop and be the main guys in the next couple of years. Alderson said of course they want to win and won’t be happy until they have a winning season. I believe that but I do think right now it may be more important for them to develop the players. They are rebuilding and I think Alderson has done a good job with that but we will see what happens. I would fully expect Wheeler and D’arnaud to be up by the All Star Break or shortly after and the future will be at hand.

The Mets can veto Johan Santana from pitching in the World Baseball Classic, not sure if they will do so though. Jenrry Mejia is late to camp due to visa issues relating to a review of his age and identity. Alderson announced this to the press today. He is being investigated but the Mets think it was just random and it isn’t because of something he did.

Wheeler threw a bullpen and was very impressive according to the reporters who were down there. The Mets have a chance to have a really good pitching staff with him, Harvey, Jon Niese in the future. Bobby Parnell will be the closer if Frank Francisco isn’t healthy. He has an elbow problem and is shutdown until further notice.

The Mets seem pleased with how Daniel Murphy improved at second base. Tim Teufel is working with him and said he looked very good today. The Mets are mostly at the minor league complex working out, it is involuntary as they don’t have to report until Sunday. He said that Murphy looks very good at flipping the ball to second base and his pivots are better. Murphy can really hit so if he can just play adequate defense which I believe he did last year he is very valuable to the team.

The Mets have a good starting staff and good infield. The biggest problem with them is their outfield and right now catching isn’t great but D’arnaud should be the catcher of the future and someone they hope will be there for a long time. The bullpen is also a question mark but it looks like that could be better then last year also.